A COMMUNITY JAZZ CONCERT flood fund-raiser featuring a host of talented jazz musicians including international jazz singer, Amanda Carr who sings for the famous Boston Pops Orchestra, will be held at Fig Tree Pocket State School oval, Cubberla Street, Fig Tree Pocket in Brisbane, Australia on September 17 from 4pm to 6.30pm.

Fig Tree Pocket was one of the areas significantly affected by floodwater and long-time resident and sponsor, Joanne Bullock-Saxton has organised the event to help those still battling to regain their lives and rebuild their homes. She hopes the concert will provide a boost in spirit and finances for locals affected by the flood.

“Like so many other flood-affected suburbs, we still have many who have not yet returned home and who have been hit hard by the cost of rebuilding, but we are resilient and wherever possible help each-other out and I think that quality is what has drawn such support and interest in this concert. It is meant to inspire fresh hope this Spring and we urge everyone who can make it from all suburbs to come and enjoy this amazing line-up of good-hearted and talented musicians,” she said.

The celebratory concert includes performers from well-known Brisbane band, the UQ Big Band.

They will play under the direction of Clint Allen, an award-winning trumpet player.

This will be followed by Willy Qua and Friends Jazz Band (composed of members of Galapagos Duck).

Galapagos Duck became an Australian household name since they started recording in the 1970s.

They will support jazz vocalist Amanda Carr, whose repertoire includes jazz standards and songs just a bit ‘left of centre’. She was recently named ‘Queen’ of the Noosa Jazz Festival, where she is also scheduled to perform between Sept 1 – 4. Amanda is CEO of the newly formed not for profit organization American Big Band Preservation Society, Inc.

The flood relief concert promises to be a relaxed, fun-filled family event and the cost is $10/ticket (children under 16 free). A sausage sizzle and soft drinks will be provided by the Fig Tree Pocket State School P&C but patrons are also encouraged to bring their own refreshments, a rug, cushion and plenty of friends!

The event is sponsored by a generous donation from Westpac Bank. In addition, support has also been offered by The Brisbane City Council Lord Mayors Suburban Relief Grant, Walter Taylor Ward, Rotary Club of Brisbane, Westside News, Cathy Lammie Real Estate, Star Stuff Graphic and Fig Tree Pocket Physiotherapy. All profits from door sales and raffle tickets will be donated to flood relief in the Walter Taylor electorate, particularly in Fig Tree Pocket.

"To live our lives and miss that great purpose we were designed to accomplish is truly a sin. It is inconceivable that we could be bored in a world with so much wrong to tackle, so much ignorance to reach and so much misery we could alleviate."

William Wilberforce

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia John Anderson talks to former Prime Minister John Howard